Katie Taylor vs. Flora Pili: Big Fight Preview & Prediction

Katie Taylor vs. Flora Pili: Big Fight Preview & Prediction

Katie Taylor will have to put all the emotions to one side, easier said than done, and concentrate on the task at hand.

Over 80,000 fans will flock to Croke Park on Saturday night to see off their hero. Taylor will want to go out on a high. Her opponent will hope she can spoil the party.

Flora Pili (12-0) is the fighter on the opposite side of the poster. The supporting act who is largely expected not to threaten Taylor or the grand farewell. The 28-year-old is unbeaten. A former European super-lightweight champion. The French fighter claimed the lesser-regarded IBO bauble in December with a majority decision over the 41-year-old Serbian Jelena Janicijevic. Hardly signs of encouragement if you fancy putting money on the upset. For context, Janicijevic has lost her only fight since. The resume of Pili is impressive on paper, but a little underwhelming in reality. Taylor is levels above any previous opponent of Flora Pili. Some records somewhat flatter to deceive. This appears to be one such case.

Taylor (25-1) will defend her WBA, WBO, and IBF world super-lightweight titles. The vacant WBC title will also be on the line. The 40-year-old has the opportunity to leave the sport as a three-time undisputed champion of the world. The odds strongly suggest she will do exactly that.

It’s been a long, hard career for Taylor. Her opponents have waited for the decline to set in. But that hasn’t happened. Only Chantelle Cameron has defeated her in the pro ranks. A 2023 defeat that ruined a previous big homecoming. But Taylor got immediate revenge six months later. There have only been two fights since. Amanda Serrano, perhaps her greatest rival, couldn’t get on the scoreboard in their rematch in 2024 or in their trilogy fight last year. Serrano left their series 0-3; Taylor cemented her greatness. The final fight lacked the drama and excitement of the first two meetings. Taylor boxed quite beautifully a year ago at Madison Square Garden. I expect more of the same at Croke Park.

Pili is a decent enough opponent. But she has been selected for a reason. A little pedestrian. Not that hard to hit. Pili doesn’t carry the same kind of imminent danger that Serrano possessed. It’s a safe choice. But an understandable one. If anyone deserves such a fight to go out on, it’s Katie Taylor. The 40-year-old hasn’t faced this level of opposition since her fight with Karen Elizabeth Carabajal four years ago. Taylor won going away against the tough but limited Argentinian. A similar result is more than probable in Dublin.

When you are used to fighting the likes of Chantelle Cameron and Amanda Serrano, only complacency or an extreme instant erosion of her sublime skills are likely to result in Taylor suffering her second career defeat. Neither of those scenarios seem likely.

Taylor is a strong betting favourite. At the time of writing, odds of 1/18 indicate victory is a mere formality. If you do fancy the upset, Pili is around 11-1. I doubt there will be many takers.

Rose Volante was the last fighter Taylor stopped inside the distance. The previously unbeaten Volante was stopped in nine rounds; Pili will avoid that fate at least. But that will be her biggest victory. The chances of Pili causing the seismic upset look extremely remote.

Taylor looks a class above her opponent. Pili will give everything, but I can’t see her causing the Irish hero too many obstacles to solve. Taylor went back to her roots in the third fight with Serrano. Ignoring the temptation to brawl and entertain, Taylor stuck to the game plan and made life easier for herself. Her body, which has been through so much, would have greatly appreciated that.

Pili will still be there at the final bell. If it’s competitive, I will be surprised. Pili might win the odd round, but nothing more. I see Taylor reverting to what we saw last year against Serrano, and gliding her way to a wide and unanimous points decision. She will pick her shots and avoid being dragged into a close-quarters war. It might become a little predictable, but I doubt her roaring faithful will care too much. They just care that she wins. And she will.

It is the send-off Taylor so richly deserves. It might have been a long time coming, but it’s come. It is what she has craved for so long. It’s what she has deserved for so long. One last victory in front of her adoring hometown crowd. Women’s boxing owes her a great debt of gratitude for elevating her side of the sport to such lofty heights. But boxing as a whole will miss her. This week, Taylor expressed extreme gratitude for all the support she has received throughout her incredible career. Humble to the last. But in truth, we should be thanking her.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing